UPSC BPSC Current Affairs 8th February 2025: Key News, Insights & Analysis for Exam Success

Current Affairs for UPSC and BPSC – 8th February 2025

This article discusses the recent events in India relevant to UPSC and BPSC exams as of 8th February 2025. Set in key points along with analysis and practice queries to accompany them. 

1. Grameen Credit Score: A Toward Financial Inclusion

Context: The Union budget of 2025 proposed the Grameen Credit Score System to measure the creditablity of SHG (Self Help Group) women entrepreneurs.

Highlights: 

Grameen Credit Score is aimed at incorporating Self Help Group transactions into India's formal banking system.

Credit helps female entrepreneurs get loans and even credit cards (up to 5 lakh).

Increased employment opportunities lead to better credit and economic literacy, financially empowering women.

UPSC/BPSC Mock Test:

Q1. What is the main objective of Grameen Credit Score?

(A) To monitor a farmer's harvest

(B) To standardize Self Help Group (SHG) deals and enhance economic participation

(C) To oversee the operations of microfinance banks

(D) To facilitate credit for big scale industries

✅ Correct Option: (B) To standardize Self Help Group (SHG) deals and enhance economic participation

Q2. Which of the following is a new financial product under Grameen Credit Score scheme?

(A) Mudra Loan

(B) SHG Specialized Credit Cards

(C) PMJDY Account (Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana)

(D)  PMFBY (Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana) 

✅ Correct Option: (B) SHG Specialized Credit Cards

2. U.S Sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) 

Background: 

The Unites States' President Donald trump had sanctions imposed on the International Criminal Court (ICC) because of its investigation of Israel.

Noteworthy Facts: 

Founded: 2002 under the Rome Statute (signed in 1998).

Operative Range: Genocide, war crimes, human brutalities and armed aggression.

US tensions with ICC: The USA has refrained from signing the document that established the ICC which empowers the court to rule over non-party states.

Consequences: Will potentially damage the International Criminal Court's system of global justice and its implementation.

UPSC/BPSC Practice Questions:

Q1. What is primary function of the ICC?

A. Settle disputes between different nations.

B. Prosecute people for crimes committed on an international level.

C. Carry out the mandates assigned by the UN and maintain peace.

D. Supervise trade on an international level.

✅ Answer: B. Prosecute people for crimes committed on an international level. 

Q2. Why is USA not a member of the ICC? 

A. USA favors using their own national courts while trying war crimes.

B. American judges are not permitted at the ICC.

C. Only Europian countries are prosecuted at the ICC.

D. USA does not accept the existence of international laws.

✅ Answer: A. USA favors using their own national courts while trying war crimes.

3. Supporting Innovation in Technical Textiles: GREAT Scheme.

Context:

Indian government sanctioned grants for four startups under this grant for research and entrepreneurship across aspiring innovators in technical textiles scheme.

Key Highlights:

Started: August, 2023 under the National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM).

Goal: To aid the startup businesses in the field of technical textiles including agro, medical, and sports textiles.

Funding: Grants upto ₹50 lakh for 1 and a half years. 

Outcome: Promotes self-reliance and encourages research and development in the field of technical textiles.

UPSC/BPSC Practice Questions:  

1. What is the primary goal of the GREAT Scheme?  

(A) To promote rural handlooms  

(B) To fund startups in technical textiles  

(C) To increase import of synthetic fibers  

(D) To train workers in the garment industry  

✅ Answer: (B) To fund startups in technical textiles  

2. Under which mission does the GREAT Scheme operate?  

(A) Startup India Mission  

(B) Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan  

(C) National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM)  

(D) Digital India Mission  

✅ Answer: (C) National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM)  

4. Dibru-Saikhowa National Park & Extended Reach Drilling (ERD)  

Context:  

The Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) approved the Extended Reach Drilling (ERD) project for oil extraction inside Dibru-Saikhowa National Park (Assam).  

Key Highlights:  

Location: Assam (between Brahmaputra, Lohit, and Dibru Rivers).  

Ecological Significance: Home to 382+ bird species, Gangetic Dolphin, Slow Loris, Assamese Macaque, Elephants.  

ERD Technology: Allows oil drilling without surface disturbance.  

Concerns: Oil spills, habitat destruction, and migratory bird impact.

UPSC/BPSC Practice Questions:

Q1. What river is associated with Dibru-Saikhowa National Park?

(A) Ganga

(B) Yamuna

(C) Brahmaputra

(D) Kaveri

✅ Answer: (C) Brahmaputra

Q2. What do you consider to be the main Issue of concern with ERD in Dibru-Saikhowa? 

(A) Human relocation

(B) Oil pollution and destruction of the ecosystems

(C) Urban Area Interference

(D) Danger of flooding

✅ Answer: (B) Oil pollution and destruction of the ecosystems

5. Jevons Paradox & AI Efficiency Debate:

Context - 

Microsoft's CEO Satya Nadella remarked on Jevons Paradox and stated how AI improving productivity may lead to more energy usage.

Key Highlights: - 

- Jevons Paradox: an example of how technology is said to increase a resource's efficiency, only to cause it's overall consumption to rise. 

- Example in AI: the more advanced AI gets, the less costuming it takes to use computing power for the AI. The inverse effect to be noted, where use of AI leads increases in energy consumption. 

- Economic & Environmental Impact: Calls for multifaceted sustainability in developing tech.

UPSC/BPSC Practice Questions:

Q1. What does Jevons Paradox state?

(A) Increased efficiency leads to lower resources used 

(B) Technological advancement will always result in saving resources 

(C) Greater efficiency of processes results in more resource use 

(D) Global energy demand will be less due to AI

✅ Answer: (C) Greater efficiency of processes results in more resource use

Q2. Which industry is most likely affected by Jevons Paradox today?

(A) Industry of textiles

(B) Data centers and cloud computing

(C) Industry of handicrafts

(D) Farming and agriculture

✅ Answer: (B) Data centers and cloud computing

6. Pong Dam Lake Wildlife Sanctuary: Inside Bird Migration High

Context: 

1,53,719 migratory birds of 97 species were counted in 2025 annual bird count at Pong Dam Lake Wildlife Sanctuary (Himachal Pradesh)

Key Highlights

Pong Dam (Maharana Pratap Sagar) - An artificial lake on Beas River.

Ramsar Site 2002 - A site of international importance for birds migrating through the trans-Himalayan flyway.

Avifauna: Bar-headed goose, pintail, common pochard, coot, grebe, cormorant, heron.

UPSC/BPSC Practice Questions:  

Q1 Where is the Pong Dam Lake Wildlife Sanctuary located?  

(A) Assam  

(B) Himachal Pradesh  

(C) Orissa  

(D) Gujrat  

✅ Answer: (B) Himachul Pradesh  

Q2 What is one important ecological feature of Pong Dam?  

(A) The Largest desert wetland in India  

(B) An important Ramsar site for migratory birds.  

(C) The first UNESCO World Heritage site in India   

(D) The largest coral reef system in India   

✅ Answer: (B) An important Ramsar site for migratory birds.